Fundraiser for Myanmar set

A Burma Cyclone Relief Fundraiser will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, sponsored by the Myanmar (Burma) Association of Hawaii.

Proceeds will go toward the purchase of medicine and supplies for an Aloha Medical Mission emergency mission planned to Burma, pending approval from the government there.

Funds also will support the Tzu Chi Foundation and Save the Children, which are providing assistance in Myanmar.

The event will feature food from "the best chefs in town," entertainment with emcee Augie T and door prizes.

One-of-a-kind items will be available at a silent auction.

Call the medical mission's administration office, 847-3400 to purchase tickets. Regular admission is $50; reserved seating is $100. A silver table for 10 is $3,000 and a gold table for 10 is $5,000. Call 851-7010 to order a table.

UH-Hilo expands Honokaa space

HILO » The University of Hawaii at Hilo has added new instruction and office space at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center in an old hospital building in Honokaa.

Opened in May 2006, the educational outreach center 40 miles northwest of Hilo has taught classes such as Hawaiian language, a grant-writing workshop, and computer usage, as well as introductory college courses.

The first phase of converting the old Honokaa Hospital to a learning center cost $1.75 million.

The second phase, partially opened last week, adds 2,000 square feet more to the usable area, and is being done at a cost of $2.9 million, UH-Hilo officials said.

Cruise line offers kids free trip

Star of Honolulu Cruise Line, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, is offering free educational cruises until Dec. 14 for qualifying Hawaii public school children in grades 2-5.

Students may choose from two cruises, the Hawaiian Cultural Cruise and the Wild Dolphin Watch. Both cruises include light refreshments and educational handouts.

The Hawaiian Cultural Cruise is from noon to 2 p.m. departing from Aloha Tower and includes lei making, hula and ukulele lessons.

The Wild Dolphin Watch is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. departing from Waianae harbor and includes observing dolphins and other marine life in their natural habitat.

Interested schools are encouraged to apply 30 days in advance of the intended cruise date by calling 983-STAR (7827) and asking for the Educational Cruises Coordinator. Further eligibility criteria apply.

15 schools win health grants

Fifteen public and charter schools have won $2,000 grants from the Healthy Hawaii School Challenge program for their work in promoting student wellness.

The grants are for schools that support student wellness by offering increased amounts of fruits and vegetables and dietary fiber, growing fruit and vegetables on campus and promoting physical activity through morning exercise programs and other activities.

"Health begins in the school environment and carries over to the home environment," said Sue Uehara, director of the Department of Education's Child Nutrition Program.

Police, Fire, Courts

Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Police charge man in condo gunfire

Prosecutors charged a 27-year-old man yesterday in connection with the Monday morning case in which gunshots were fired at the 909 Kapiolani condominium building.

William J. Choi, who has no local address, was charged with four counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, four counts of kidnapping, first-degree reckless endangering, place to keep firearms and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Choi was scheduled to appear in court this morning.

A group of three men and a woman had been out drinking Sunday night, police said, and when they returned to the condo, they began arguing over a debt.

Choi allegedly pointed a handgun at and threatened the woman and two men and held them against their will, police said in a court document.

Choi allegedly held the .38-caliber silver handgun to the head of one man, and the man began wrestling with Choi.

The firearm was discharged during the struggle, according to the two men and woman.

Man allegedly robs cabbie using knife

Police said the 56-year-old cab driver picked up the 34-year-old man in Kalihi. The suspect pulled a knife and demanded the victim's money. The suspect left the taxi and fled, police said.

Police were called and the suspect was found, identified by the victim and arrested.

Plane lands in isles after woman dies

A 57-year-old woman died onboard United Flight 862 from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, according to a state Department of Transportation official.

The flight was diverted to Honolulu Airport and arrived yesterday at 6:12 a.m.

The woman's name and country of origin were not released.

WINDWARD OAHU

Man, 18, charged in fatal car crash

An 18-year-old Waimanalo man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash last year that killed two mothers.

Tyler Nainoa Duarte was arrested yesterday morning and charged with accidental death and two counts of first-degree negligent homicide. His bail was set at $30,000.

On Jan. 20, 2007, Michelle Benevedes, 39, and Racquel Akai, 38, were pinned inside their Honda Accord when it was broadsided and crushed against a concrete tile wall by a Ford Explorer being driven by a then-17-year-old Duarte. The two women were cousins and both had children.

The accident occurred along Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo. Duarte allegedly fled from police while under the influence of alcohol.

The families of the victims have sued Duarte and his parents because of the crash.